Being the son of a longtime NHLer certainly has its benefits, especially when it comes to preparing for his first training camp with the Winnipeg Jets.

“It’s been huge,” said Lowry, whose father Dave was a veteran of 1,084 NHL games and is currently an assistant coach of the Calgary Flames. “I know he’s gone through this experience and has given me the guidance to go in and know what to expect. It’s helped me out a lot.”

Lowry, who was chosen by the Winnipeg Jets in the third round (67th overall) in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, spent the past two seasons with the Swift Current Broncos of the Western Hockey League, posting 18 goals and 45 points in 66 games in 2010-11.

The 18-year-old already stands 6-foot-4 and is sure to add muscle to his 187-pound frame as time goes on.

During the summer months, Lowry spent much of his time working on things designed to help increase his mobility.

“We worked a lot with my personal trainer on my leg strength and my core strength to improve my quickness,” said Lowry. “It’s been an area we’ve been trying to work on over the years and it’s starting to come.”

Now that he’s been drafted, Lowry is excited about taking the necessary steps to show progression in his game.

“I just want to play a strong game and be a player who is expected to be responsible on the ice,” said Lowry. “If I can chip in offensively, that’s great and if not, I’d like to play a strong, two-way game.”

The aim is to have a strong showing this week and stick around as long as he possibly can, but Lowry understands he’s going to be back with the Broncos for his third WHL season and he’s hoping to help his team get back to the post-season in the spring.

“We have a strong core group of guys there and we should be able to make a strong push there,” said Lowry.”

Lowry’s love of hockey came to him naturally and his attention to detail on the ice shows you he was paying attention when his dad brought him to the rink.

“I like the way he battles for pucks, his puck protection down low,” said Keith McCambridge, the head coach of the St. John’s IceCaps. “There are a lot of things that stand out. He goes to the net pretty hard, he’s defensively sound and there’s some good fundamentals there.”

Lowry and the Jets play their first of three games at the 2011 Young Stars tournament on Monday night at 9:30 p.m. CT against the San Jose Sharks.